ELE 313 - The Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

3 Credit Hours

The Arts in Education course provides an overview of performing and visual arts for future general educators in K-8 settings. This course will provide knowledge of the basic elements of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts to provide a basis of understanding for concepts taught in K-8 arts classes. Participants will explore standards for each subject and devise lessons which integrate the arts into general classroom instruction to make living connections between the arts and general education concepts to encourage higher-order thinking in K-8 students. By so doing, classroom teachers can show an understanding and an appreciation for the learning which takes place in these classrooms and how it benefits students’ overall academic growth and the school environment. Participants will gain an appreciation for the subjects and skills students learn in arts courses and think of these courses not as enrichment, but core to mental, emotional, and the psychological development of the whole child. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements (5 hours).